Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Ken Jones and Jacqui Mort.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

None.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee held on Tuesday 11 June 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on Monday 8 July 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Members of the Committee enquired if any response had been received from Lancashire County Council and were advised that this would be looked into and an update provided outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on Wednesday 24 July 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on Thursday 8 August 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Members of the Committee were updated that following the decision of the Licensing Panel on the 29 May 2019, the Premises Licence Holder had installed a CCTV system compliant with his Licence Conditions and attended training with the Council’s Head of Licensing.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the Licensing Panel held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Report of the Interim Monitoring Officer/ Legal Services Manager.

The Committee considered a report which sought to extend the current Mobile Home Fee Policy for a further three years with no amendments to the current fee structure. Members were also asked to approve the report to be presented at the next full Council.

Licensing Officer, Chris Ward explained to members that the Mobile fees policy allows a Local Authority to set fees to cover the administrative costs in respect of Mobile Homes Licences. A three year fees policy would allow the Council to aggregate the costs over a longer period, providing a more stable structure for residents.

Members of the Committee were advised that consultation with the three licenced site operators had been undertaken with only one operator responding. After speaking to the Licensing Department, their representation was withdrawn.

Licensing Officer, Chris Ward explained the members that the redacted paragraph within Section 5 of the policy would be amended to read, “The fee will remain £6.50 per pitch.” This was previously set at £7.97 but included enforcement costs estimated over a twelve month period.

Members of the Committee sought clarification on how enforcement costs were calculated and were advised that the figure given takes into account all elements of enforcement work, such as the hourly rate of Officers plus additional costs.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    Section 5 of the Mobile Homes Fee Policy will be amended to include the following, “The fee will remain £6.50 per pitch.”

3.    Subject to the amendment, the Mobile Homes Fee Policy is approved to be presented at the next full Council meeting.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

Report of the Interim Monitoring Officer/ Legal Services Manager attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Licensing presented by Licensing Officer, Chris Ward which sought to provide members with an overview of Licensing Activity for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 August 2019.

Members were updated on the enforcement action taken by Licensing Officers with respect to the areas of; hackney carriage/private hire drivers, Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling. Members queried how often enforcement is undertaken and were assured that over the last twelve months enforcement activity has increased and officers are pro-active in enforcing.

Overall, the report was received positively by members of the Committee who commended officers for the presentation of the report and the level of detail provided.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

Report of the Interim Monitoring Officer/ Legal Services Manager attached.

Licensing Officer, Chris Ward presented a further report to the Committee on the recent use of Standing Order 35.

The Committee were advised that the authority had received disclosure from Lancashire Constabulary advising that a driver was under investigation for a serious offence. The offence was of such gravity that the decision to revoke (with immediate effect) the Private Hire Driver’s Licence was taken in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.